Auto Body Repair Scam Shut Down

A Port Richey man accused of running an auto body repair scam on the west side of the county may have had more victims, according to Pasco deputies.

That’s why the sheriff’s office is now turning to the public to see if anyone has information about other people who may have been targeted in the scheme.

Nicholas Johnson, 33, was arrested Dec. 13 on charges of scheming to defraud and retail theft. Deputies say he offered to repair vehicles for three different people, but didn’t come through with the work.

“In each case, he claimed he was going to make permanent repairs to body work he was going to perform on their vehicles but instead used silly putty and wax to cover up the damage,” a sheriff’s office media release said. “Johnson claimed he would return the next day to finish the repairs but never did.”

Det. Bruce Cohen is now concerned Johnson may have had other victims. He says Johnson mainly targeted people on the west side of the county, including Holiday, New Port Richey and Hudson. It is believed that Johnson drove around neighborhoods and parking lots looking for vehicles in need of body repair to find his victims.

Anyone with further information about the case is asked to contact Cohen at 1-800-706-2488, Ext. 7213.

Johnson of 12025 Hudson Ridge Drive was released from the Land O’ Lakes Jail on $5,150 bond. Jail records indicate he has been arrested in the past on drug-related charges and for interfering with child custody.